The unveiling of the New Gloucester Veterans Monument in 2014 is one of five major town celebrations featured in the History Barn’s new exhibit. Amvets member Bill Kiley is in the center holding a furled flag. Patti Mikkelsen / For Lakes Region Weekly

History Barn unveils ‘Celebrating Our Celebrations’ exhibit

The opening of the History Barn’s new exhibit, “Celebrating Our Celebrations,” is 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 5. Five major town celebrations spanning from 1874-2014 will be featured.

The History Barn is located at 383 Intervale Road, behind Town Hall. Pandemic restrictions may apply. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the New Gloucester Historical Society.

Intervale Preserve to expand

Chad Fierros, Royal River Conservation Trust’s stewardship director, will highlight community input shared during April 2021 engagement sessions from 10-11:30 a.m. June 17 during a 2-mile trek around the 170-acre parcel that supplements the 128-acre Intervale Preserve.

The expansion connects the Lower Village with the historic Interurban rail trail.

Participants are asked to park on the shoulders of Church Road near the corner of Gloucester Hill Road. For more information, contact Chad Fierros at chad@rrct.org or 301-676-5069.

Sturgis honored by Friends

Laura Jane Sturgis was designated as the second honorary member of the Friends of the New Gloucester Public Library at the organization’s annual meeting on May 25 for her dedication to the community and the library. The first honorary member, who was recognized pre-COVID, was Jim Farwell for his support of the Friends when he was a town employee and after he left the town’s employ.

The following officers were also elected: Kathleen Potter, president; Carol Gillis, vice president; Noreen Williams, secretary; and Annemarie Salzberg, treasurer.

In addition, an honorarium was given to the library’s endowment fund in Kathleen D’Amboise’s memory.

Summer reading

The New Gloucester Public Library is offering summer reading programs and activities now through Aug. 14. Community members are encouraged to stop by the library to sign up, create a weekly goal and receive a goodie bag, log and first sticker.

Highlights of special programs and activities include an outside story walk during June, Chewonki virtual program about tide pools at 1 p.m. June 26, Chewonki in-person program at 1 p.m. July 17 and owls of Maine plus “Dr. Drew and His Animals Too!” at 1 p.m. July 30. Additionally, there are weekly craft and outdoor activities.

Children who participate will receive weekly stickers and prizes if they achieve their reading goals. An ice cream party in August will top off the summer festivities. For more information, call 926-4840 or email newgloucesterlibrary@gmail.com.

Sunrise fundraiser

Start the day at the crack of dawn by dunking a Thompson’s Orchard doughnut into a hot cup of coffee at their Sunrise Coffee & Donuts Fundraiser on Saturday, June 5. They’ll provide complimentary coffee, doughnuts and a scenic sunrise, and you donate to a local cause.

This month’s beneficiary is the GNG Backpack Club. This program supports food insecure students in Gray/New Gloucester schools by providing each of them with a bag of food to bring home over the weekend.

Thompson’s Orchard is located at 276 Gloucester Hill Road. Attendees are to meet at the event space that overlooks the main orchard at 4:45 a.m. to watch the sunrise. The rain date is Saturday, June 12.

Indoor church services resume

The next worship service of the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road, will take place in the sanctuary at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 6. Parishioners are asked to bring masks. Both open seating and distanced seating areas are available. Coffee hour will be held outside near the playground.

Patti Mikkelsen can be contacted at mikks@maine.rr.com.